A Letter to Mundhir bin Sawa, Governor of Bahrain

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) despatched ‘Al-‘Ala’ bin Al-Hadrami to the governor of Bahrain,
carrying a letter inviting him to embrace Islam. In reply, Al-Mundhir bin Sawa wrote the following
letter:
“Allâh’s Messenger (Peace be upon him)! I received your injunctions. Prior to this, I read your letter,
which you wrote to the people of Bahrain extending to them an invitation to Islam. Islam appealed
to some of them and they entered the fold of Islam, while others did not find it appealing. In my
country, there live Magians and Jews, and therefore you may inform me of the treatment to be
extended to them.”
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) wrote the following letter in reply to his:
“In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
From Muhammad, Messenger of Allâh to Mundhir bin Sawa.
Peace be on you! I praise Allâh with no associate, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave
and Messenger.
Thereafter, I remind you of Allâh, the Mighty, the Glorious. Whoever accepts admonition, does it for
his own good. Whoever follows my messengers and acts in accordance with their guidance, he, in
fact, accepts my advice.
My messengers have highly praised your behaviour. You shall continue in your present office. Give
the new Muslims full chance to preach their religion. I accept your recommendation regarding the
people of Bahrain, and I pardon the offences of the offenders; therefore, you may also forgive them.
Of the people of Bahrain whoever wants to go on in their Jewish or Magian faith, should be made to
pay Jizya (poll-tax).”